MONETT – Senior Zack Hammond choked down some tears for a second to force a smile and offer a big hug to his coach, Chad Depee. The Monett Cubs had just lost out on a chance to go to the state championship game by a single point.

Hammond watched helplessly as the Cubs' game-tying extra point kick smacked off the hands of a John Burroughs defender and fell harmlessly to the wet turf. Hammond joined a throng of teammates and Monett faithful in expelling the last breath from Burl Fowler Stadium. Celebration became silence. John Burroughs (13-1) beat the Cubs 24-23 to advance to the Class 3 football state final.

"It just didn't work out. That's a shame, but you know, that's football," Hammond said.

Hammond recorded 12 carries for 21 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also threw a 65-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to Levi Pfitzner in the fourth quarter to give Monett a brief 17-16 lead.

"We're going to miss those guys, they're very good players and they helped extend the game for us and put us in a situation to win it at the end," Depee said.

Burroughs answered back two plays later when Yale-bound senior quarterback Tre Moore found Ronald Smith running a skinny post route from the right. Smith found a seam in the Monett defense and ran 40 yards after the catch to score.

The big star for the Bombers' offense was Northwestern commit John Moten, who rushed 32 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

John Burroughs coach John Merritt called Moten's number even after a steady rain and southerly wind died down at halftime. Merritt said Moten seemed to be the only effective weapon against a hard-hitting Monett defense.

"He's an unbelievable back. Our offensive line, especially in the second half, did a good job to clear up some space, and (Moten) is a competitor and he brings everything he can every time he goes out there," Merritt said.

"They are a very high-powered offense," Hammond said. "Their running back, No. 23 (Moten), give him credit. He's definitely a Division I running back; he's very shifty and he can definitely make guys break their ankles."

John Burroughs advances to the Class 3 state championship game Friday at 1 p.m. at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis against Oak Grove, 49-14 winners over California in the semifinals.

"The fact that we managed to come out on top is unbelievable. I take my hats off to the Cubs, they are a fantastic football team," Merritt said.

Depee says he has no regrets about trying to kick an extra point for a tie rather than going for a two-point conversion to win the game with less than two minutes to play.

"It was time to go tie it up. We were at home, and if we were going to go to overtime, let's go to overtime," Depee said.

Monett finishes the season 11-3 and reached the semifinals for the second time in three years. The 2012 Cubs were also semifinalists, and also lost to John Burroughs.

Depee and Hammond celebrated the season with hugs, smiles and tears before walking off the field one last time.

"Our locker room has been as enjoyable of a locker room as I've ever been a part of. These kids love to be around each other," Depee said. "I love our kids over here and I just couldn't have been more proud of them because of the way they handled themselves throughout the season."

What will Hammond remember the most about Monett's magical playoff run?

"Probably that last drive. I'm going to remember that one the most, and the blocked kick, but I'm just going to miss being with my brothers practicing every day… that's what I'm going to miss," Hammond said.